Cmdr. Edward Leo McDonald

The Meridian Star

Cmdr. Edward Leo McDonald

MERIDIAN

Retired

Services for Retired Cmdr. Edward Leo McDonald will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Hebron Baptist Church with the Revs. Joe Joyner, Tommy Jones and Paul Early officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Barham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. McDonald, 91, of Meridian, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in his home. He was born in Clarke County, one of 11 children born to the late Dr. Daniel Webster and Mattie Belle Irby McDonald. He graduated from Quitman High School and attended Pearl River Junior College and Jones County Junior College before receiving a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, he went on to complete law school in 1938. He was president of his freshman law class and a member of the Ole Miss Debate Team.

He was a veteran of World War II and joined the U.S. Navy in 1941, before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the Atlantic Fleet on the escort destroyer, USS Key as the Sonar Watch Officer. During his tour in the Pacific, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor and saw action in the battle of Midway. Other notable military achievements include: assignment to the U.S. Naval War College of International Law; he was appointed to the U.S. Court of Military Appeals; and appointed Associate Justice of Saipan Court of Military Appeals. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1962.

After retiring to Meridian, he taught school from 1962-1974. He challenged and encouraged his students in the disciplines of math and science at Northwest Junior High School, Meridian High School, Southeast Lauderdale High School, and Jefferson Davis Academy. In 1969, he left Lauderdale County for Beaumont, Texas, in order to establish Navy Junior ROTC programs in three area schools.

After teaching school, he continued to serve his community and state in many ways. He was a charter member of the Meridian Retired Officers Association and the Navy League. He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church since 1969. "Mr. Leo," as he was affectionately called, loved his church community. He diligently served the body of Christ by teaching men's Sunday school classes for many years and being a member and former chairman of the board of deacons. He considered it his honor and duty. He sought to use his gifts and talents generously. From 1983-1995, he worked with the Lauderdale County Soil and Water Conservation District. In 1982, he was selected as Mississippi's Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. In 1997, he served as president of the Lauderdale County Forestry Association, and in 1998, he was selected as Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for Lauderdale County.

He often looked forward to the Sunday comic papers; Blondie and Dagwood were his favorite characters. He was a great leader and always set a high standard of excellence. He chose to lead by example, never expecting from others what he didn't first expect of himself. Considering himself greatly blessed, he sought to be a good steward of what the Lord have given him. Most notable of his accomplishments was his devotion to the Lord. For almost 50 years he started his family's day by reading the Bible at breakfast and in prayer. He challenged and inspired all who knew him. He was well loved by many and respected by all. The world is a better place for those of us whose lives he touched. The Lord sowed many seeds through the life of Mr. McDonald. How greatly we have been blessed through his service in love.

Survivors include his wife, Melba Arthur Wiley McDonald of Meridian; children, Cmdr. Mark McDonald, U.S. Navy and his wife, Lynda, of Atlanta, Millie McDonald Didlake and her husband, Dr. Ralph Didlake, of Madison, Daniel Wiley and his wife, Jean, of Troy, Tenn., Claudia Wiley Roaldson and her husband, Quinton, of Munford, Tenn., and Jeanette Wiley Berg and her husband, Randy, of Brandon; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sisters, Ava McDonald Tate of Demopolis, Ala., Dr. Bonnie Belle McDonald of Spanish Fort, Ala. and Thellis McDonald Lancaster of Tallulah, La.; brothers, Edd Reed McDonald of Niceville, Fla., and Marlin McDonald and his wife, Joyce, of Meridian; sisters-in-law, Edna McDonald and Mary Nell McDonald, both of Meridian; 10 nieces and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Daniel Webster McDonald and Mattie Belle Irby McDonald of Clarke County; brothers, Lamar McDonald, Irvin McDonald and Percy McDonald; sisters, Lois McDonald and Ella Marie McDonald.

Memorials may be made to Hebron Baptist Church Building Fund.

Pallbearers will be John Harvard, Dale Holyfield, David Little, Bobby Joe Martin, Donnie Mathis, Larry Mathis, Lanoyette Smith and Tommy Spivey.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Sr. Adult Men's class of Hebron Baptist Church, Vivian Mathis, Robert Singley and Mary Tubbs Kelly of PDN Inc.

Visitation will be held today from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home, and Friday 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.

Cmdr. Edward Leo McDonald
Born: ????
Died: March 1, 2005